Air Quality specialist (Brasilia)

Result of Service

The Air Quality Specialist will provide specialized technical support to the Secretariat of Urban Environment, Water Resources, and Environmental Quality of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (SQA/MMA) in advancing an integrated climate and air quality approach to the into SLCP mitigation efforts in Brazil, including through technical inputs to the Clean Air and Climate Plan for SLCP Reduction, related governance processes, and relevant national and sectoral policy frameworks. The incumbent will support data collection, management and analysis, technical and policy development, knowledge generation, and capacity-building related to air quality, while helping ensure that SLCP mitigation measures deliver measurable air quality and health benefits. The specialist will also keep coordination with the CCAC Secretariat to foster collaboration on air quality matters and to facilitate the engagement of national air quality actors in the CCAC Hubs, to participate in relevant CCAC initiatives (e.g., Hubs, projects, etc.).

Work Location

Preferably Brasilia, Brazil. Remote work is acceptable with the candidate’s regular presence in Brasilia, as per agreement with SQA/MMA

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, and representatives of the private sector, the environmental community, and other members of civil society. The CCAC is the only international initiative working on integrated climate and clean air solutions to reduce the rate of near-term warming. It focuses on fast action to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) including methane, black carbon, HFCs, and tropospheric ozone. More information on the CCAC is available at: www.ccacoalition.org. Guidance on the CCAC’s National Planning Methodology for reducing short-lived climate pollutants is available in the Resource Library. Brazil has been showing commitment and leadership in tackling super pollutants through several national and international policy frameworks and initiatives. The country became a CCAC member in June 2023 and has served as CCAC Co-Chair since June 2024, represented by the Secretariat of Urban Environment, Water Resources and Environmental Quality of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (SQA/MMA). Brazil is also part of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) and a Party to the Kigali Amendment. Through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Brazil has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050, and actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) were reflected in sectoral mitigation plans under the new Brazil Climate Plan. Furthermore, in 2024, the National Air Quality Policy was established to strengthen adequate air quality monitoring the country, a key milestone for climate and clean air integration. With CCAC support, Brazil has implemented a package of 5 projects to support sectoral mitigation policies in agriculture, waste, transport, and cooling, in collaboration with the respective sectoral Ministries and partners in the country. Additionally, under SQA/MMA, Brazil is currently preparing a Clean Air and Climate Plan for SLCP Reduction (Clean Air and Climate Plan) which will consolidate these SLCP mitigation efforts together and provide an overarching framework to strengthen governance, coordination, monitoring, and alignment with national climate targets including the NDC. Recognizing Brazil’s leadership on the SLCP agenda, Brazil is now part of the CCAC Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator (‘Accelerator’). Planned for 2026-2029, the CCAC Country Action Accelerator in Brazil (Brazil Accelerator) foresees the establishment of an SLCP unit within SQA/MMA to help advance Brazil’s super pollutant commitments through stronger institutional capacity, improved coordination and support for implementing SLCP mitigation actions, including through the delivery of the Clean Air and Climate Plan and its governance framework. In the context of the Brazil Accelerator, CCAC is seeking to hire an Air Quality Specialist to be part of the SLCP Unit and support SQA/MMA in strengthening the integration of air quality and health considerations into Brazil’s short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) agenda. The incumbent will provide specialized technical support for data collection and analysis, policy development, knowledge products, and capacity-building related to air quality, while maintaining close coordination with the CCAC Secretariat to ensure alignment of the overall work with the objectives of the Brazil CCAC Accelerator. Objectives: - Specialized technical support to integrate air quality and health considerations into multiple sectoral policies (e.g. agriculture, waste, energy, transport, etc.) and to increase government and stakeholder’s knowledge and capacity to implement SLCP mitigation actions. - Advance the integrated climate and clean air agenda in Brazil through stronger air quality policy support, data alignment, and implementation of air quality related matters of the Clean Air and Climate Plan for SLCP Reduction and its governance mechanism. - Support Brazil’s collaboration with CCAC and the achievement of air-quality-related goals under the Brazil CCAC Accelerator. Key Responsibilities - Provide technical support to SQA/MMA on the links between air pollution, climate change, and human health, helping ensure that SLCP mitigation actions maximize measurable air quality and health benefits. - Stablish contact with relevant air quality actors and institutions to collect and analyse relevant data and information, and to support the assessment of policy, regulatory, and implementation gaps related to air quality and SLCP mitigation in Brazil. - Support the design and implementation of a national integrated climate and air quality platform, including the alignment of SLCP data, particularly black carbon, with the national inventory and related systems, as applicable. - Provide technical inputs to SQA/MMA and relevant partners for the formulation or revision of air quality policies, initiatives, and sector measures aimed at SLCP mitigation and the integration of air quality goals and indicators into such policies, particularly in the transport sector. - Prepare and review technical documents, national guidelines, training materials, knowledge products, and institutional presentations related to air quality and the SLCP agenda. - Organize and/or deliver workshops, technical training, and subnational, national, regional, or global events on air quality, including logistical support and other support required for the event’s delivery (eg. preparation of concept notes, agendas, invitations, etc). - Support air quality discussions within the Brazil SLCP governance structure, including the preparation of technical inputs and, where necessary, the establishment and coordination of technical chambers related to air quality. - Provide technical review and quality assurance for products developed under CCAC projects and other SLCP initiatives related to air quality implemented by the SLCP Unit. - Participate in relevant CCAC initiatives, including hubs, projects, and technical exchanges, and facilitate the engagement of national air quality stakeholders in those processes, as appropriate. - Participate in meetings and events, presenting the work and progress of Brazil’s SLCP agenda in the area of air quality. - Support the compilation, management, and reporting of information related to air-quality-related projects and initiatives in MMA systems and other tracking tools, as required. - Support the identification of opportunities to integrate air quality, health, and black carbon considerations into broader climate, transport, and sustainable development policies and strategies. - Contribute to technical and progress reports for the CCAC and other relevant partners, including updates on air-quality-related activities, outputs, and results. - Undertake other related tasks, as required, to support the implementation of the air-quality-related work of the Brazil CCAC Accelerator.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, atmospheric science, environmental engineering, public health or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with three additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in air quality, environment and health, emissions management, atmospheric sciences, or a related field is required. Demonstrated experience in providing technical support to policy development and implementation, data analysis, and project delivery related to air quality, climate change, or environmental health is required. Demonstrated experience in the preparation of technical and knowledge products is required. Knowledge of Brazil’s policy and institutional context related to air quality, climate change, and environmental health is required. Good understanding of short-lived climate pollutants, air pollution, climate change, black carbon, and health-related dimensions of air quality in Brazil is required. Strong analytical, technical drafting, facilitation, and training skills are required.

Languages

Fluency in Portuguese and English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.